The Osun State Government has announced an immediate ban on graduation ceremonies for nursery and kindergarten pupils in public and private schools across the state.
This was contained in a circular issued by the Ministry of Education, dated September 19, 2025, and signed by the Permanent Secretary, M.A.K Jimoh.
The circular, addressed to education stakeholders, including commissioners, advisers, directors, principals, teachers, and parents’ associations, raised concerns over the growing trend of elaborate ceremonies at early levels.
“It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Education that the practice of organizing elaborate graduation ceremonies for Nursery and Kindergarten pupils has become increasingly common,” the circular stated.
While acknowledging the importance of celebrating academic milestones, the Ministry emphasized that the practice had created challenges for parents and schools.
“While we appreciate efforts to celebrate educational milestones, the current trend has raised serious concerns regarding the financial burden on parents, loss of valuable instructional time and the commercialization of early childhood education,” it read.
According to the new directive, graduation ceremonies will now be restricted to only two categories of students.
“Consequently, graduation ceremonies and parties are only permitted for Primary 6 graduating pupils and Senior Secondary School SSS3 students,” the circular noted.
On the use of textbooks, the Ministry also introduced new guidelines to promote stability and reduce financial stress on families.
“Proprietors of faith-based and private schools are required to adhere to the approved list of textbooks. These textbooks are designed to be used for a period of three years, allowing children (pupils and students) to use the textbook of their sibling for three consecutive years,” it directed.
The circular further warned against embedding workbooks in textbooks, stressing, “Using of workbook inside the textbook should stop henceforth to ensure that the textbook is not only for a session.”
Schools were warned to comply strictly, as monitoring teams will be deployed to ensure enforcement. “Any school found violating this policy will face appropriate disciplinary measures, including fines or suspension of registration,” the Ministry cautioned.
The government called on all education stakeholders to work together in safeguarding the purpose of education. “We count on your full cooperation to uphold the integrity and purpose of education,” it added.
